It's Week 1, and after months of pontificating, both players, fans, and experts alike can finally talk about some real football.
The Packers have no days off, with the Lions coming to Lambeau this Sunday, and many assume the game will be Part 1 of two in a dead heat for first in the NFC North.
The Micah Parsons trade is still all the buzz, and I'm sure Lions Head Coach Dan Campbell will be doing all he can to get Parsons from snacking on QB Jared Goff every down. How might he do that? Coaching 101: Establish the Run.
The Lions have a formidable duo in the backfield, featuring Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery, and I'm sure the Lions' first drive will include many attempts to test the Packers' new defensive line, now without former franchise stalwart Kenny Clark. Last week, we had a brief gander at how Defensive Coordinator Jeff Hafley might deploy his current crop of DTs, and it's anyone's guess if that will come to fruition.
However, win or lose, if the Packers get gashed run after run, the sirens will be screaming for them to shore up the run defense up front. And if you look at the Packers' 2025, schedule, they have their work cut out for them when it comes to going up against top rushers. Aside from Gibbs and Montgomery who they'll play twice, they'll also have to go see their old buddy Aaron Jones twice, Chase Brown, Saquon Barkley, and Derrick Henry; far from ideal.
So, who could the Packers look to potentially? Starting caliber DTs are far from plentiful, so it's all but certain Gutekunst is going to have to pick up the phone and make some offers around the league. He's already lost his two 1st Rounders, would he splurge with another Day 2 Pick if he thought the Super Bowl was an almost certainty? If the Packers wind up getting exposed on Sunday, or the inability to stop the run consistently becomes the reason for losses, it will be a problem. He may be compelled to make the call.
I looked around the league and cobbled up a short list of trade candidates who might fit the bill. Lets see who we've got.
1. Adetomiwa Adebawore - Colts
The guy can do ANYTHING. Adebawore is at home as a 3T but can play the nose and even push out as far as 4T. He has an impressive RAS of 9.72 and was a Senior Bowl standout who interviewed with Gutekunst in Mobile and was then brought in for another "Top 30" visit, right before the 2023 Draft. I REALLY think the Packers wanted him, because after the Colts took Adebawore at 110th Overall, the Packers took Colby Wooden at 116th. This isn't a knock on Colby, but Adebawore is a more twitched up athlete with longer arms who is a plus run defender who also gets after the QB. Per the Colts posted depth chart, Adebawore is stuck on the 3rd string, effectively the 5th DT inline to play. Would Indianapolis bite on a 2025 5th Rounder? Wouldn't hurt to try.
2. Jordan Jefferson - 49ers
If you watch Jefferson's' tape, you'll fall in love with his ability to shed the Guard or Center quickly and get into the backfield, that's Run Stopping 101. He fits the mold that Gutekunst likes for DTs and he's buried on San Fran's depth chart on the 3rd team. A 4th Round Pick by Jacksonville 2 years ago, Jefferson could use a new home where he can flourish, I like his prospects in Green Bay for a 7th Round Pick.
3. Ty Robinson - Eagles
It's going to be hard to pluck Robinson, a rookie 4th Round Pick from this spring, from Philly, who currently has him listed as the backup nose tackle. Robinson has the versatility to line up anywhere on the defensive line, which gives DC Jeff Hafley additional flexibility in his scheme. I don't have any pre-draft relationship between him and the Packers, but he did flash at the Senior Bowl occasionally. With a 9.87 RAS, you'd be hard-pressed to find a more athletic DT available. I would expect the Eagles Howie Roseman to ask for another 4th Round Pick in exchange.
4. Khalen Saunders - Jaguars
Saunders is about as athletic as you can get for a nose tackle, albeit with short arms. His knock coming out of Western Kentucky was conditioning, but that's over with now. Saunders has been a reliable, better-than-average defensive tackle who is known for making a splash play or two in a game. For a team that needs a reliable run defender, you'd be hard-pressed to find someone better than Saunders for cheap. On his 3rd team in six years and on the second team defense, Saunders could be grabbed for a likely 6th Rounder.
5. Brodric Martin - Chiefs
The Packers should have plenty of familiarity with Martin, as he played his first couple of years in Detroit. His athleticism and motor jump off the screen. At 6'5, 337lbs, he's a huge plug at the nose, and he's got some pass-rushing chops to boot. A knee injury got him out of Detroit and onto the Chiefs' practice squad, meaning Martin would cost the Packers nothing, except to cut somebody else to sign him, no trades required.
6. Marlon Tuipolotu - Chiefs
Tuipolotu isn't nearly as big as his practice squad teammate Martin, but he did have a nose for stopping the run coming out of USC. I'd opt for Martin, but Tuipolotu fits the bill too. Marlon needs some help to solidify himself on the field on all three downs, which is likely what landed him on the PS, but for downs where you need to stop the run or on the goal line, I wouldn't mind him being out there. Like Martin, he costs the Packers nothing but a cut from the current 53.
5. Jer'Zhan Newton - Commanders
Another 2nd team NT, Newton, just missed the 1st Round likely due to his injury. The Commanders pounced on him, and he's filled with potential. I doubt Washington is looking to deal a former 2nd Round Pick, and I'd cringe at what Gutekunst might be inclined to offer, but Newton is an instant starter on this team, no question.
Will the Packers trade for a DT to bolster their current group? Will it be one of these guys? None of these guys? Or will they ride it out til the next offseason, hoping Micah Parsons is enough? Time will tell, let's see how the first month shakes out.
#GPG